Heat wave… wasn’t it a song by Martha and The Vandellas in the 60’s? I think I just dated myself! Now over 50 years later heat waves blister the planet with record-breaking temperatures. Climate change poses a risk to our health and our doctors have a role to play in fighting it. So do you!

Do you have itchy eyes, runny nose and a tickly cough?

With rising temperatures, we are seeing more people with tick and water borne problems, as well as mosquito borne illnesses. Plus, for people with illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and asthma, the added physical stress caused by higher temperatures, longer allergy seasons and added air pollution is real.

So, what can you do about it? Get in front of it:

• Use Deet to repel ticks and mosquitos, wear long pants in grassy, wooded areas while hiking and walking, and banish standing water from your yard.
• If you have asthma, carry your inhaler and check with your doctor to make certain your allergy control plan is up to date.
• If you have diabetes it is harder to keep your blood sugar stable during a heat wave. Make sure you take your meds and hydrate well, take cooling breaks indoors and check your blood sugar often. And consider taking your 10,000 steps in an air-conditioned shopping centre.

Remember, you must adjust, so do what you must.